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Alanna actually gasped.
She’d prepared herself for the raggedy carpet, hideous floral couch, and piles of drywall scattered over a plastic tarp. Instead, she gazed at a house. A beautiful, charming house. Looking around, she spotted a tasteful brown, microsuede sofa sitting in front of a stone fireplace and a half wall that led to a gorgeous kitchen. Her eyes skimmed over gray granite countertops and bright white shaker cabinets. The walls were painted a warm eggshell, and he’d even added crown molding.
“It’s beautiful,” Alanna breathed, more than impressed.
“Thanks,” he said behind her. “I picked up the pace this last week, you know, in case…” he trailed off.
Alanna imagined his hands, strong and rough, tearing up that horrible old carpet and putting planks down beneath her feet. What had he called this place?Right.
“You’ve turned this ugly duckling into a swan,” she said.
“I haven’t had time to decorate much yet, but look...” Sully pointed over her shoulder to polished wooden floating shelves cutting a diagonal path across the back wall of the living room. They ended next to the highest platform of the massive cat condo.
“Those are cat steps,” Sully told her proudly. “Sheba loves them. Figured them out right away. I’m thinking of building a catio in the back. Well, if I end up keeping this place.”
Alanna’s mood sank. Was Sully at risk of losing the house? She wouldn’t let that happen. He’d be too proud to take a handout, of course, but Alanna could engineer ways to give him more work. Her mother’s house could probably keep him busy with projects for a year.
That was a problem for another day. For now… she turned to Sully and gave him a saucy smile. “You, sir, are a crazy cat gentleman.”
His arms came around her, and he pulled her into his body. “You aren’t the first person to accuse me of that. I wish you could meet Sheba, but she’s probably hiding somewhere.”
“At least you’re not hiding.” Alanna stood on her tiptoes, leaned in, and nibbled on his earlobe. “If you could only bring one person to a desert island, who would it be?” she whispered.
She felt the rumble of his laughter through her body. The exhale of his hot breath on her neck made her shiver with goosebumps.
“Bear Grylls of course,” he answered. “Why do you ask?”
But his body told her the real answer. She felt his erection, hard and insistent, pressing against her hip. And then his hands were on her ass, lifting her. Alanna didn’t think. Her legs wrapped around his hips instinctually.
As Sully carried her in long, confident strides down the hallway, she unzipped the jacket he’d loaned her and tossed it behind her. Then she bent to kiss him. She couldn’t get enough of his lips or the delicious friction of his stubble sliding across her cheek. He moaned.
“Bear Grylls, are you sure?” she teased.
He released her onto the bed, and she squeaked, partly in surprise, partly in delight, as he followed her down, cloaking her body with his own.
“The guy knows how to build shelter, live off the land,” Sully responded, though she noted his voice had turned hoarse.
“I know how to live off the land,” she said as she licked his jaw.
She felt a shiver go through him.
“God, woman,” he hissed, “you can certainly start a fire, I’ll give you that.”
She slipped her hands under his shirt and raked her nails down the sensitive flesh beneath. How long had she ached to feel the hard muscle always hinting beneath his t-shirt? He took her wrists gently and pulled her hands away. Then, he lowered his face until their foreheads were touching.
“You first,” he whispered.
Sexier words had never been spoken.
He raised her arms over her head and pressed them gently into the mattress. “Stay,” he ordered.
“No promises,” she retorted. And then she couldn’t say anything as he unleashed the first button on her dress. The man was a sadist. He took his time, pressing his hot lips to her exposed flesh, exploring her collarbones with his lips and tongue before undoing the next button. This is how it went. One button, licking, kissing until she writhed with need.
And finally, finally, finally he pulled the wet fabric from her body. Sully sucked in a sharp breath, and Alanna couldn’t help her smile. She’d taken her time picking out the scarlet bralette and matching lace thong.
“Did I already say the thing about you starting a fire?” he managed.
“Yep, but you can say it again.”
